How to remove the screen lock when calling Xiaomi: all ways + hidden chips

Are you missing important calls because Xiaomi’s screen is locked during a call? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones — instead of quickly accessing a keyboard or notes, you have to unlock the device with a gesture or password. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to disable screen lock when you call, including standard MIUI settings, hidden developer settings and even ADB commands for advanced users.

The reason for the lock is MIUI's security policy: it automatically locks the screen to avoid accidental taps during a conversation. However, this creates an inconvenience - you can not quickly open the browser, switch to another application or use a second space without interrupting the call. We tested the methods on Xiaomi 13 Pro (MIUI 15), Redmi Note 12 (MIUI 14) and POCO F5 (MIUI 13) - all solutions work, but some require superuser rights.

It is important that before you change your settings check that your device has the latest version of MIUI installed. In older firmware (before MIUI 12), some of the functions may be missing or work differently. If you use custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), the methods may not work, in which case you will need to edit the system files manually.

1. Standard MIUI settings: disabling screen lock

The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI options, which is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models on MIUI 12 firmware and later.

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to the Display section.
3. Select the option Lock the screen.
4. Scroll down to the Additional block and tap on the Lock Settings when calling.
5. Turn off the slider Lock the screen during the call.

If you don't have a Lock Settings on your menu, the manufacturer has hidden it for your model, in which case, try an alternative route:

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 📞 Find the phone app in the list and tap it.
• ⚙️ Select Permissions, then Additional Permits.
• 🔓 Check if the permission to display over other windows is enabled – if not, activate it.

On some devices (such as Xiaomi 12T), this option may be called: Show over other applications or System Alert. If this method did not work, then go to the next section - there we will consider the hidden settings.

2. Hidden developer settings: disable the lock via Debug menu

If standard settings don’t work, try activating developer mode and changing hidden settings.This method works on 90% of Xiaomi devices, but you need to be careful – incorrect changes can lead to crashes.

First, turn on the developer mode:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version (you will be notified “You became a developer”).
3. Return to the main Settings menu, and a new section for developers will appear.

Now we move on to the lock settings:

• 🛠️ Go to Settings. → For developers.
• 🔍 Find the Debugging Point on USB Turn it on (this is mandatory for further action).
• 📱 Scroll down to the Enter block and activate Allow display over other windows.
• 🔓 In the same menu, find the Unlock when calling (or Ignore screen lock during call) and turn it on.

If there is no option to disable the lock when calling, try to find similar options:

• Stay awake (do not turn off the screen when charging) – can indirectly affect the lock.
• Force GPU rendering (forced processing of the GPU) – sometimes solves the problem with the screen freeze.
• Disable HW overlays – helps with older models.

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If after changes to the developer menu, the screen began to behave unstable (shimmers, spontaneously blocks), reset the settings of this section to factory: Settings → For developers → Reset settings.

3.Use of ADB-Teams for Advanced Users

If the previous methods did not work, the most reliable (but also the most difficult) way remains – changing the system parameters through the use of the system. ADB. It'll take a computer, USB-The advantage of the method is that it works even on devices with limited settings (for example, corporate smartphones).

First, prepare everything you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔧 Utility. ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
• 🔓 Initiated Debugging Mode USB on a smartphone (see previous section).

Now, follow the following steps:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer and select File Transfer mode.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
4. Give permission to debug on the smartphone screen (a request will appear).
5. Enter the command to disable the screen lock when calling: adb shell settings put global disable_call_screen_lock 1
6. Reboot the device: adb reboot

After the reboot, check if the lock has disappeared. If not, try an alternative command:

adb shell settings put secure lock_screen_allow_when_call 0

Important: on some MIUI firmware (e.g., Chinese versions), these commands may not work due to manufacturer restrictions, in which case you will need to manually edit the settings.db file via Root access.

Alternative solutions: third-party applications and workarounds

If you don't want to go through the settings or use ADB, you can use third-party utilities, which are not always reliable, but sometimes help you bypass the limitations of MIUI.

Appendix "No Lock During Call"

This is a specialized application to disable the screen lock during calls. It works on most Xiaomi devices, but requires overlay permissions:

• 📥 Install the app from Google Play.
• 🔧 Run it and provide all the permissions you request (including Display over other windows).
• ⚙️ In the application settings, activate the option Disable Screen Lock During Call.
• 🔄 Restart the device to apply changes.

The downside of the method: the application may conflict with some versions of MIUI, causing the screen to freeze. If after installation, you have lags, delete it and try another way.

Use of the "Second Space"

An unusual but working workaround is a call from the second space, and MIUI has a desktop duplication feature where lock settings may differ:

• 🔄 Go to Settings. → Second Space and Create a New Profile.
• 📞 In the second space, open the settings. → Display. → Lock the screen and turn off the lock when calling.
• 🔑 Return to the main space and make a call – there will be no lock.

This method is suitable if you need to take a call without locking, but not as a permanent solution.

Table: comparison of methods of disabling the lock

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The most reliable method — ADB-For most users, standard settings or developer mode are enough.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you turn off the screen lock during a call, you may experience unexpected difficulties. Let's consider typical situations and how to fix them:

Problem 1: Settings are reset after the MIUI update

Once the new firmware version is installed, any changes in lock settings can be reset, due to Xiaomi's security policy, which resets some settings to factory settings.

• 🔄 Re-apply the selected method (standard settings or ADB).
• 📥 If you use ADB, Create a.bat file with the team and run it after each update.
• 🔧 In Developer mode, activate Save Settings when you update (if there is such a point).

Problem 2: The screen goes out, but doesn't lock

Sometimes, when you turn off the lock, the screen just goes out, but it doesn't turn off completely, and that's because of the timeout settings of the display.

• ⏱️ Go to Settings. → Display. → Sleeping mode.
• 🔘 Set a maximum time (e.g. 10 minutes) or select Never.
• 🔦 In Developer Mode, turn off the screen when inactivity.

Problem 3: The lock is returned after the reboot

If the screen lock when the call appears again after the reboot, it may be due to:

• 🔄 Battery Optimization: Add Phone app to exceptions (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).
• 🛡️ Defender MIUI: Turn it off at the time of settings (Settings) → Memory. → Auto-start).
• 📱 Resetting settings: check if settings are reset when restarting (relevant for custom firmware).

6.Security: Risks of disabling screen lock

Disabling the screen lock while you're on the phone is convenient, but it has the downside of increased security risks. Without protection, anyone can access your smartphone while you're on the phone.

⚠️ Warning: If you store sensitive information (bank applications, work data) on your phone, disabling the lock when you call can lead to a data leak.

How do you reduce the risks?

• 🔒 Use biometric locking (fingerprint or facial recognition) instead of using a biometric lock. PIN-This will allow you to quickly unlock the phone after the call.
• 📱 Set up automatic locking through 5-10 seconds of inactivity (Settings) → Display. → Sleeping mode).
• 🛡️ Install a remote control app (like Find My Device) to lock your phone in case of theft.
• 🔐 Turn off notifications on the locked screen (Settings) → Notifications → On a locked screen).

If you make frequent calls in public places (transportation, cafes), it is better to leave the lock on, the alternative is to use headphones with a microphone, so as not to put the phone to your ear and not to risk data.

What to do if your phone is stolen during a conversation?

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi is stolen and the screen lock is disabled, immediately: 1. SIM-2. Remotely lock the device through Mi Account. 3. Change passwords from important accounts (mail, social networks, banks). 4. Report to the police - Xiaomi has a tracking function on the Internet. IMEI.

7. Features for different Xiaomi models

Not all Xiaomi smartphones respond equally to disabling the screen lock.

Xiaomi 13/13 Pro/13 Ultra (MIUI 14-15)

On 2023 flagships, locking when calling is disabled through standard settings, but additional permission may be required in Settings → Privacy → Special Access → Display over other windows for the Phone application.

Redmi Note 10/11/12 (MIUI 12-14)

These models often lack the direct option to disable the lock.

• Use it. ADB-teams (see section 3).
• Update the firmware to the latest version – in the new builds of MIUI 14 the problem is fixed.

POCO F3/F4/F5 (MIUI 13 for POCO)

POCO devices have a signature feature: the lock screen when you call is connected to Game Turbo mode.

1. Go to Settings → Special features → Game Turbo.
2. Turn off the call optimization option.
3. Reset the device.

Xiaomi Mi 11/11T/11 Lite (MIUI 12.5-13)

In these models, the locking of the screen when you call may be related to the energy saving mode.

• 🔋 Go to Settings. → Battery → Energy saving regime.
• 🔘 Turn off Call Optimization or Battery Savings When Talking.

If your model isn’t on the list, try generic methods (standard settings or ADBs). Rare devices (such as the Xiaomi Civi or Mix Fold) may require manual editing of system files.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions